Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Center for Jewish Life at SUNY RCC had its opening student meeting this week attended by over 50 students. The center, located in the college’s student center, is run by Rabbi Dov and Shevy Oliver.

The 85 bochurim of Yeshivas Menachem Mendel Lubavitch of Monsey participated in a Tes Vav Elul Farbrengen in honor of the founding of Tomchei Tmmim. Rabbi Fishel Oster, a maggid shiur in Oholei Torah, farbenged with the students together with Rabbi Mendel Polter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Menachem Mendel Lubavitch of Monsey.

Cheder Chabad Boys had a Chai Elul Rally and Farbrengen together with a Bruchim Habaiim to welcome the Shluchim dedicated to working in the Cheder this year. Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman, the Cheder’s Executive Director, introduced Rav Baruch Lesches who spoke to the boys about the importance of Ahavas Yisroel and the tremendous zchus of the Cheder to have such wonderful shluchim. Yisroel Silverstein, a shaliach to the Cheder from Yeshivas Menachem Mendel Lubavitch of Monsey, spoke to the boys about the significance of Chai Elul and led the boys in saying the twelve posukim. Other Shluchim assigned to the Cheder are: Moshe Hyman, Efraim Zimmerman and Moshe Raichek. In addition to the lively singing of many nigunim, the boys all made many l’chaims (on grape juice) and were treated to chocolate doughnuts and other nosh.The Cheder’s Chai Elul Farbrengen was sponsored by Yisroel Schulman in honor of the Shluchim. If you are interested in sponsoring an upcoming Cheder Chabad Rally, please contact Mrs. Yehudis Abramowitz, Director of Resource Development, at 845-356-1213.

With thanks to Hakodash Baruch Hu, we have now been back in the “big shul” for almost eight months. It has been a pleasure to see the attendance grow, as well as the programs that Beis Menachem is offering, including more Tefillos, Shiurim, and children’s programs. The addition of Rabbi Kagan has been wonderful for everyone, as he brings with him great Torah knowledge, a warm personality, and a caring ear.

Two weeks ago the bulk of the Shul’s members attended a meeting at which our commitment to remain in the current location was reaffirmed. For this to happen we must ensure that we can remain financially secure. The main way in which we will ensure this, is through our membership drive and appeal with which this letter pertains to.

The membership rates are:

Full family membership including 2 seats for the Yomim Neroim - $600.00.Associate Member – affords all rights of the Shul such as Davening for the Omud when required, Alios Latorah, Kiddushim, etc.- $360.00.

We will be expanding the Ezras Noshim this year by including it downstairs in the main shul area which will a more pleasant Davening experience for the ladies and girls.

Being that the hour is late, please send in your membership as soon as possible. It may be the case that you do not plan to become a member or an associate member. If so, please view this letter as our yearly appeal and respond graciously. We thank you in advance for your support.

Wishing you a Kesivah Vechasimo Toivo.

Please contact Eli Zisman at 845-216-8007 for payments or further information.

As in the past, Rabbi Zalmen Leib Markowitz will be providing a convenient service to the community by selling esrogim locally at reduced prices. Esrogim can be purchased at his home, 24 Briarcliff Drive (downstairs entrance), during the following times: